Chernobyl Museum

Kiev, Ukraine

Since this painting, 

"Uprooted: Mother Ukraine"

was installed on permanent exhibition (1999) 

in the 

Chernobyl National Museum, 

I have received 

numerous emails from people all 

over the world to express their admiration. 

I didn't get an opportunity to exhibit it in the United States before flying with it to 

Ukraine for the reception.  It is a mixed media painting 

on canvas and one I am intensely proud of. 

Since not everyone can fly to Kiev to see it, I thought I'd share it in my blog.

By the way, this photo was taken in my studio back then---this accounts for the pouffy hair and retro overalls...

not to mention my looking ten years younger!

-Launa 

The "Pease Greeters" dedicate the giclee, 

"A Prayer for a Soldier"

at the Pease International Airport

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

I have to tell you about the "Pease Greeters."  They are a dedicated group of volunteers who go daily to the airport to greet and shower with kindness and gratitude US military personnel.

(I have been told that they have greeted up to three returning transports in one day.)

This group of 250+ tireless people meet returning servicemen and women who are leaving for active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who are returning.  

Even when an airplane lands in the middle of the night, at least 75 dedicated greeters show up!  There are even greeters who drive in from 100 miles away, just to be a support and encouragement for these soldiers in transit-what dedication!

The Pease Greeters wave American flags, shake hands, give hugs, express appreciation and just plain "love all over" these selfless warriors and heroes of our country.  They also offer refreshments to the troops, as Pease International is their last stop on American soil or their first stop, as they return home from fighting the War on Terror.  

The lady pictured in the photo above in a pale yellow shirt is Tenley Westbrook, she sings the "American Anthem" and her own composition, "Our Freedom Song."  (Visit this talented lady's website at Tenley@Tenleywestbrook.com)

The other beautiful woman to the right of Tenley is our family's dear friend and honorary "Grammy," Lois Fonda (she is who our 8 year old daughter Fonda is named for.)  To the right of Lois is Jerry McConnell a WWII Veteran of the Marine Corps.  To the far left is Ed Johnson, a Silver Star recipient of the Korean Conflict, also a former Marine.  Ed is the Chairman of the Pease Greeters.  Of course all around and holding the framed print are brave young men 

who are serving our country in amazingly courageous ways.  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, all you Valiant Warriors!

To find out more about the Pease Greeters, visit their website:  WWW.peasegreeters.org

To see "A Soldier's Prayer" or to read the poetry see one of my earlier blogs from this year.

May God continue to have mercy upon us and may God bless America!

-Launa

WWW.Poetryart.net

WWW.Globalimpactworldrelief.org